No answers
This is something I struggle to find info on. The VAM devices appeared after the infamous CDM12.1's and 4's etc.
Until you see it you can't be sure.
The CDM12.4 (and it's VAM equivalent) have an IC on the pickup... a TDA1302 RF amp
The CDM12.1 and it's VAM counterpart do not.
The "polarity" of the magnet on the platter is opposite too... it repels the disc clamp if you try and fit the wrong one.
I have no experience of the company you mention... there are a lot of stories around of poor quality Chinese pickups.
10000 hours is a lot... the motors would be suffering at that mileage. A rebuild is easy using motors off a new CDM12.1 etc and keep the platter.

The loader I'm familiar with, it's the same as in my Micromega, which uses a CDM12.4
If you can identify correctly the pick up then replacing just the pickup is easy.

The pictures on Daisy Laser show what looks like the VAM equivalent for the CDM12.1 which is the pickup and (discrete component) laser power control only. This has the "black" platter which is the magnetic opposite to the light grey one on the CDM12.4 VAM1202

Pickups themselves tend to be reliable... most trouble is caused by dust/dirt smoke ! etc.

The sled motor will never wear out in a million years, your looking at a few 10's of rotation per CD.

Bearings on spindle motors wear, you can feel it if you try and move the platter.
The CDM12.4 had a simple device (a piece of tensioned plastic) which sounds crude but works well, and it's purpose was to apply very light pressure to the spindle forcing it to wear in one direction, but importantly stopping any looseness in the bearing. In other words the bearing wore oval but the tensioner stopped any play. The "lesser"CDM12.1 did not have this. The 12.4 was designed for CD ROM as well as audio which is why it was included... to prevent mechanical "jitter" on the data...

Don't know if the VAM has that feature.

The DC motors are easily swapped from a new doner mech, they all appear the same.
Any original grease may be sticky,and granulated after a few years but again that's so easily put right.

Edit,
I keep a very rough "tally" chart on hours use of my Micromega... currently 2144 hours on this pickup (a Japanese CDM12.4, the best quality one I have ever seen) sadly haven't seem them for a few years. I put a spot of special grease (yes grease) on the platter motor spindle when new. No detectable wear as yet The RF output is as high as ever too, no deterioration at all.